April 2000

Subject: Pre-Release of Return of Title IV Funds for Windows, Version 1.0

We are pleased to announce the availability of the pre-release version of Return of Title IV Funds
for Windows, Version 1.0, a new U.S. Department of Education (ED) software product. The rules
regulating the treatment of Title IV funds when a student withdraws have changed significantly
and must be fully implemented by October 7, 2000. We are providing this software in an early
release for your immediate review and feedback. While we believe the software has been fully
tested and provides accurate results, we want to offer all schools the opportunity to provide input
before we finalize the product later this spring. The section below titled “How to Report
Feedback on the Pre-Release” addresses the process for forwarding your comments on this
version.
The software is designed to automate the process of calculating the treatment of Title IV
assistance when a student withdraws. From these computations, institutions determine amounts of
aid that must be returned to the programs by the school or the student or the amount of a Post-
Withdrawal Disbursement due the aid recipient.
This product is free to all users as a stand-alone PC product. While all schools must implement
the November 1, 1999 Final Regulations regarding the treatment of Title IV funds in their entirety
on or before October 7, 2000, the use of this software is not required.
The software has been developed to model the two worksheets available on the Information for
Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) Web site, “Treatment of Title IV Funds When a Student
Withdraws from a Credit Hour Program,” and the “Treatment of Title IV Funds When a Student
Withdraws from a Clock Hour Program.” ED developed these worksheets to assist you in
performing the calculations. Like the worksheets, this software is a tool you can use to simplify
the calculation process.

This letter describes the software's purpose and introduces its components. Included in this letter
are:
• Product features,
• Instructions on how to download and install the software,
• Instructions on how to forward your comments on the software, and
• A reminder to back up and optimize your Return of Title IV Funds for Windows database.

ED will be offering a series of one-day training opportunities that will begin in the Regional
Training Facilities in late spring through mid-summer. Announcements will be made on IFAP
about the dates and places.

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Where to Find the Quick Reference Guide

At the end of this letter is a quick reference sheet to help you use Return of Title IV Funds for
Windows. This one-page user's guide explains in a nutshell:
• The information you must have on hand when you use this new software, and
• The steps you take to:
• Calculate how much Title IV aid the student earned as of the withdrawal date and is
eligible to retain,
• Calculate how much aid must be returned to the Title IV programs,
• Determine the appropriate order to return it, and
• Determine if a Post-Withdrawal Disbursement is due.

How to Get the Software and Documentation

Return of Title IV Funds for Windows is distributed via the Internet. You can download the
software and the related user documentation from the SFAdownload Web site,
http://www.SFAdownload.ed.gov
Instructions for downloading the software from the Internet are included in the section
“Downloading Return of Title IV Funds for Windows from the Web” and in the “Downloading
Software/Paper Documentation” section of the Return of Title IV Funds for Windows Installation
Guide, Version 1.0.

How to Report Feedback on This Pre-Release Version

The Department is interested in collecting feedback and suggestions on this pre-release of Return
of Title IV Funds for Windows. Comments submitted by schools will be taken into consideration
when determining if a follow-up release of the software is necessary in July 2000. Please submit
your comments by May 19, 2000; comments received by May 19, 2000 will be given top priority
when determining a subsequent release.
To submit feedback and suggestions to the Department regarding the pre-release, send an e-mail
to CPS@NCS.COM with the subject line “Attention: Return of Title IV Funds Feedback.” In
your message text, please include the following information:
• Your name and business telephone number
• Your school type (Public/Private/Proprietary, 2-year/4-year/Clock-hour, etc.) and student
population size
• The average number of withdrawals you process per award year
• Whether you process returns based on payment period or period of enrollment

We would also like you to include information on your PC environment, including the following:
• Network or stand-alone environment
• Version of Microsoft Windows and, if applicable, type of network (including version)
• Type of printer

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If You Have Technical Support and Policy Questions

For technical questions regarding this pre-release of Return of Title IV Funds, such as installation
issues, software problem resolution, software functionality, and technical assistance, call CPS
Customer Service. You can reach them Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. (CT), at 800/330-
5947, Option 9. You can also e-mail inquiries, comments, or suggestions 24 hours a day to
CPS@NCS.COM and a representative will respond within 24 hours. Please distinguish technical
questions from suggestions or feedback you are submitting on the pre-release version (see
previous section).
For policy-related questions regarding the use of Return of Title IV Funds and the Department’s
existing and/or revised withdrawal regulations, call ED’s Student Financial Assistance (SFA)
Customer Support Inquiry Center at 800/433-7327.
If you have SFA technical support questions and subscribe to SFATECH, you can post an e-mail
on the SFATECH listserv, http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/sfatech/listserv.html
Make sure you include your telephone number in your message. Department staff or contractors
for the system about which you have a question will see your posting and begin working on a
response.

CPS Customer Service

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Table of Contents

Introducing Return of Title IV Funds for Windows, Version 1.0.................................................... .5

Why This Software Was Developed............................................................................................... .5
Why You Should Use This Software......................................................................................... ......5
Software Functions....................................................................................................... ..................6
Software Process......................................................................................................................... ....6
Software Features................................................................................................... ........................7
File ........................................................................................................................................... ..7
Tools ...................................................................................................................................... ..10
View.................................................................................................................. ........................13
Print ............................................................................................................................... ..........14
Calculations/Algorithms..................................................................................... ......................14
Online Help............................................................................................................................ ...14
Return of Title IV Funds for Windows Supports These Printers.............................. .....................14
Return of Title IV Funds for Windows Benchmarking Results...................................... ...............15
Downloading the Software and the Documentation from the Web ..............................................15
How to Download the Software as One File......................................................... ....................15
How to Download the Software in Five Installments......................................... .......................16
How to Download the Paper Documentation ......................................................................... ..17
Installing the Software.................................................................................................. ................18
How to Install the Software to a Stand-alone Computer........................................ ...................18
How to Install the Software to a Network................................................................................ ..18
How to Install the Software from Diskettes........................................................... ....................18
Reminders........................................................................................................................... ..........19
Back Up Your Database Weekly................................................................................. ...............19
Optimize Your Database by Using Software Utilities.................................................... ............19
Run the Repair Database Utility............................................................................... ................19
Improve Performance by Using the Compact Database Utility....................... .........................20
Prevent Problems by Using the Verify Database Utility................................................. ...........20
Create a withdrawal record for each student’s withdrawal.................................................. ..........21

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Introducing Return of Title IV Funds for Windows, Version 1.0
The Department of Education (ED) is pleased to announce the release of Return of Title IV Funds
for Windows, Version 1.0. This software calculates the amount of Title IV aid the student earned
as of the withdrawal date, the amount of unearned Title IV aid, how much aid the school and/or
the student must return to the Title IV programs, the required order to return it, and any amount of
a Post-Withdrawal Disbursement due.

Why This Software Was Developed

The 1998 Amendments of the Higher Education Act of 1965 revised the treatment for the return
of Title IV funds when a student withdraws before completing more than 60% of the payment
period or period of enrollment.
These amendments stipulate that the institution is responsible for calculating the percentage and
amount of Title IV assistance the student did not earn and returning the institutional portion of the
funds to the Title IV programs in a specific order as well as the amounts to be returned by the
student. First, the total amount of the school's responsibility has to be satisfied; subsequently, the
student may be responsible for returning funds.
These regulations become effective July 1, 2000. However, institutions must implement these
provisions no later than October 7, 2000. Institutions have the option to implement as early as
November 1, 1999, but schools choosing to do so must implement the entire provisions of the
final regulations.

Why You Should Use This Software

Return of Title IV Funds for Windows is a non-year specific, stand-alone software that calculates,
processes, and stores information on return of funds. ED developed Return of Title IV Funds for
Windows to assist you in performing the required calculations and to organize the process for
returning funds that your institution and/or students may need to return. In addition, Return of
Title IV Funds for Windows gives you the ability to maintain records so that you can better
manage your data to analyze information about students who withdraw from your institution. This
software is related to two worksheets, “Treatment of Title IV Funds When a Student Withdraws
from a Credit Hour Program” and the “Treatment of Title IV Funds When A Student Withdraws
from a Clock Hour Program.” ED developed these worksheets to assist you in performing the
calculations. Like the worksheets, this software is a tool you can, but are not required to, use to
simplify the calculation process.
Specifically, the software:
• Calculates the total amount of Title IV funds that a student has earned through the withdrawal
date.
• Calculates the total amount that must be returned to each of the Title IV programs or the
amount of Post-Withdrawal Disbursement due the aid recipient.
• Sets up a system to track the process of returning the funds, including:
• Calculating the amount that must be returned to each Title IV program,
• Notifying the student of the amount needed to be returned, and
• Recording the student's response and payment arrangements.
• Allows you to track student specific data to analyze your student population.

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Software Functions
The Return of Title IV Funds for Windows, Version 1.0 has seven functions:
• File: Create and update data
• Return of Title IV Funds calculation: Calculate and display the intermediate calculations
that go into the process
• Print: Print reports to printer, file, or screen
• Setup: Define the default parameters
• Browse: View data records
• Utilities: Maintain the database
• View: Return arrangements, both student overpayment and school return arrangement

Software Process
Log in to the software.
If you are using the software for the first time, use SYSADMIN for both the user ID and
password. The software prompts you to change the password for the SYSADMIN user ID. Once
you have changed the password, make a note of it and keep it in a safe place.
To use this software, select Tools, Setup from the menu bar and choose these options in order:
Step 1. Using the Security function, create user IDs and passwords.
Step 2. Set up your system, including whether you want users to be able to edit Notes entries.
Step 3. Create a Program Institutional Charges Profile.
• After you log on, click Tools, Setup. Select Program Institutional Charges (see the
details about this screen on page 11).
Step 4. Create a School Calendar Profile.
• Click Tools, Setup. Select School Calendar Profile (see the screen entry details on
page 11).
Step 5. Create Student Records in your database, including any additional fields your institution
requires.
• Click File. To add a new Student Record, click New. To open an existing Student
Record, click Open.
• There are five tabs located at the bottom of the screen, see the description starting on
page 8.
• Calculate data pertaining to a student's Title IV Aid funds on the R2T4 Tab of the
Student Record. This includes the following steps in the same order as the Treatment
of Title IV funds worksheets:
• Student's Title IV Aid Information
• Percentage of Title IV Aid Earned
• Amount of Title IV Aid Earned by the Student
• Total Title IV Aid to Be Disbursed or Returned

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 • Amount of Unearned Title IV Aid Due from the School
• Return of Funds by the School
• Initial Amount of Unearned Title IV Aid Due from the Student
• Return of Funds by the Student
• Post-Withdrawal Disbursement Tracking Sheet

Software Features
After opening the software you may see these options listed in the upper left-hand corner of the
toolbar (this depends on whether a student’s record is open or closed). This list provides detailed
information about each of the software functions. The software includes the following features:

• File
• Tools
• Setup
• Utilities
• Browse
• View
• Print
• Calculations/Algorithms
• Online Help
File
The software has 32-bit browse and grid functionality and includes features similar to those used
in EDExpress for Windows products.
The software is not specific to a calendar year. Each student has one demographic record. Each
student can have more than one return record.
File/New. To add a new Student Record, click New.
• Enter the Social Security Number (SSN). Click OK or Enter.
• The next screen shows five tabs across the bottom of the screen:
• Demo – Enter student demographic information. (Data entered must be saved
BEFORE moving to the next tab.)
• R2T4 – The return calculation is performed.
• Post Withdrawal – Track Post Withdrawal Disbursements (PWDs).
• Notes – Enter software operator notes regarding the student’s record.
• User-Data – Add user-defined fields of additional information, such as GPA, major,
withdrawal reason.

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File/Open/Demo Tab
All New Student Records must begin by first completing the Demo screen. While no data
is required on this screen for the calculation to run (and therefore, no fields are
highlighted in yellow), this screen must be saved in order to continue to the next screen.
You can activate the Save process by one of three methods:
• Press Ctrl + S following the data input,
• Click File, Save, or
• Click the blue diskette icon in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
After you enter the data and save the record, a dialog box with “Record updates saved”
appears. Click OK. The next tab along the lower part of the screen is activated. You can
now move to the R2T4 tab.

File/Open/R2T4 Tab
In the Add/Retrieve dialog box you indicate the year. The convention used throughout the
software is to select the later of the two years in an award year; for example, in the 1999
– 2000 award year, you would select 2000.
Select the School Calendar Profile Code.
• When a student withdraws during an institutionally scheduled break of five or more
consecutive days (a period of time that will be excluded from the calculation), the
appropriate Withdrawal Date becomes the last calendar day prior to the start of the
scheduled break.
• If a student withdraws during an institutionally scheduled break of less than five
consecutive days, use the date that the student officially notifies the school.
Tip: Create one or two test profiles with the word “test” in the title so you won’t
confuse them with actual profiles once in production.
The steps on screens 1-3 parallel the “Treatment of Title IV Funds When a Student
Withdraws from a Credit Hour Program” and the “Treatment of Title IV Funds When a
Student Withdraws from a Clock Hour Program” forms. A few exceptions require
explanation:
• The Leave of Absence field stores data on the total number of days the student is on a
Leave of Absence (which cannot exceed 180).
• If a student withdraws during a Leave of Absence or does not return from a Leave of
Absence, the Withdrawal Date:
• For an institution required to take attendance, is the Last Date of Attendance prior
to the start of the Leave of Absence.
• For an institution not required to take attendance, is the date the Leave of
Absence began.
• Important Note: If the student takes a Leave of Absence, returns to school
and subsequently withdraws, a manual calculation (outside of the software) is
necessary to exclude the days of the Leave of Absence from the calculation.

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• An approved Leave of Absence for Title IV purposes must include:
• A formal institutional policy,
• The student must follow the institution’s policy in requesting the Leave of
Absence,
• The institution must determine that there is a reasonable expectation that the
student will return to the school,
• The Leave of Absence cannot involve additional charges by the institution,
• The Leave of Absence cannot exceed 180 days in a 12-month period,
• Upon the student’s return from the Leave of Absence, the student is permitted to
complete the coursework he or she began prior to the Leave of Absence, and
• If the student is a Title IV loan recipient, prior to granting the Leave of Absence,
the institution explains the effects that failure to return from the Leave of
Absence may have on the student’s loan grace period.
• The period used for calculation is determined at the School Calendar Profile level.
• The institutional charges on the R2T4 screen 2, Step 5G can be modified at the Student
Record level by clicking on the ellipsis button. The Program Institutional Charges
screen appears and is modifiable for this student’s record. Changes to the Program
Institutional Charges screen in this fashion change only the charges for this active
student record. The Program Institutional Charges profile is not altered.
File/Open/Post-Withdrawal Tab
This is an optional screen to track Post-Withdrawal Disbursement notification to the aid
recipient (where necessary).
• Contains information about Post-Withdrawal Disbursements, credits and
outstanding amounts on a student's account.
• Fields include:
• Amount of Post-Withdrawal Disbursement (if applicable)
• Post-Withdrawal Disbursements credited to student’s account
• Total outstanding charges
• Total amount of Post-Withdrawal Disbursement credited to student’s account,
including tuition, fees, room and board, other current charges
• Student/Parent authorization to credit account for other current charges
• Date of student and/or parent authorization to credit account for other current
charges
• Date of Post-Withdrawal Disbursement offered to student/parent
• Date of notification to student/parent
• Response received from student/parent
• Amount accepted
• Date accepted funds were sent
• Amount of Post-Withdrawal Disbursements made from the programs

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 File/Open/Notes Tab
At the initial setup, the system administrator must decide whether the Notes function will
be used. Hard-drive storage may be a factor in this decision.
• You can scroll through multiple notes associated with each withdrawal record for
the student.
• When you modify the budget, the notepad captures your ID and records the
change date.
• You can add free-form notes.

File/Open/User Data Tab

You can add user-defined fields for analysis purposes. Four pre-set values are included
with the software.
• This tab updates student-specific responses to fields that are not included in the
software and the institution has set up in order to track the student population that
has withdrawn.
• You can define up to 251 customized fields in Setup. Four fields are already
provided: GPA, Major, Overpayment Status, and Withdrawal Reason.
• The data is presented in a grid of user-defined fields at the student record level.
• Users can print information directly from User Data tab.

Tools
This feature includes Setup, Utilities, and Browse Student functions.
Tools/Setup
Setup functions establishes your:
• Security profile
• System parameters
• Program Institutional Charges defining institutional charges such as tuition, fees,
room and board, and other current charges
• School Calendar Profile defining the calendar periods
• User database
Tools/Setup/Security

• The software has three levels of security:

• System administrator all functions,
• All functions except Utilities and Security, and
• Report functions only.
• The Delete function is a system administrator function.

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Tools/Setup/System
• Check this box if you want to be able to edit Notepad entries.
Tools/Setup/Program Institutional Charges
Use this function to establish a profile set of data describing routine costs by program.
Tip: Like other financial aid software there are two conceptual camps. The first
group (minimalist) builds a small number of budget profiles with standard data
and adds the additional data that is student-specific at the student record level.
The other style is to create a charge profile for every possible variation on the
theme. If you have limited time for development and testing, start with a basic
plan and build a small number of test program institutional charges.
• Year. The protocol on year selection within this software is to use the later year of
the award year sequence. For example, if you are loading data for the 2000-2001
award year (July 1, 2000 – June 30, 2001) the Year code is 2001.
Tools/Setup/School Calendar Profile
You use this screen to establish whether the calculation is on the basis of a credit hour or
clock hour program.
• By selecting either Credit Hour or Clock Hour Program you impact various other
components of the screen for the determination of completed days (for Credit Hour
Programs) or completed hours (for Clock Hour Programs).
This function allows multiple School Calendar Profile setups.

• For credit hour programs, you can calculate the calendar days in the payment
period. The software counts both the number of days in the period and the
number of days the student completed. In addition, if a School Calendar includes
a scheduled break of at least five consecutive days (including weekends), the
number of break days is excluded from the count. (Institutionally scheduled
breaks of less than five consecutive days should not be input into the system; if
you do so, an edit message instructing you to delete the data on the break
appears.)

• For clock hour programs, the school chooses whether or not calculations are
based upon a payment period or period of enrollment. Also, the appropriate
number of clock hours are entered based upon the type of period selected.

• Credit Hour Programs. When you check the Credit Hour Program, the Payment
Period box is automatically checked and becomes grayed out; in addition, the
Period of Enrollment box is grayed out because credit hour programs always
calculate on a Payment Period basis.
Payment Period or Period of Enrollment Start Date. The calendar is
active for the selection of the start and end dates, while the Total Clock
Hours field is inoperable.
Number of Days in the Payment Period. This field is filled automatically
through the use of the Start and End Dates (calendar buttons) above.
Number of Allowable Break Days. All institutionally scheduled breaks of
five consecutive days or more (including weekends) are recorded and are

11
 automatically deducted from the Number of Days in the Period. Breaks of
less than five consecutive days should not be entered.
• The protocol for Scheduled Break Date data entry is mmddccyy; for
example, 10/15/1999 is entered as 10151999 and followed by the Enter
key (do not use the Tab key).
• Clock Hour Programs. When selected, you must indicate whether the
calculations are to be on the basis of a Payment Period or Period of
Enrollment.
Total Clock Hours in Period Selected. The total number of clock hours in
the period are entered here.
Payment Period or Period of Enrollment Start Date. The calendar is not
active for the selection of the start and end dates for Clock Hour Programs.
Number of Days in the Payment Period. This field is inactive for Clock
Hour Programs.
Number of Allowable Break Days. This field is inactive for Clock Hour
Programs.
Tools/User Database
You can create additional fields that your institution may want to include on student
records. For instance, you may want to record on each student record the date on which
the funds were returned.
Tools/Utilities
Utilities functions include:
• Repair Database
• Compact Database
• Verify Database

Tools/Browse Student
Browse Student with browse and grid functionality

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View
View/Return Arrangements
This feature allows you to view and edit repayment arrangements.
View/Return Arrangements/Student Overpayment
The Students To Be Notified view lists students whom have yet to be notified to return
Title IV funds.
• The only field that can be modified is Date School Notified the Student. The school
has a maximum of 30 days to notify the student about the overpayment and the
repayment options. Once the “Date Student Notified” field has been completed, the
record moves to the “Students Notified” tab.
• The Students Notified view lists those students who have been notified that they must
return Title IV funds, but have not yet responded or made any repayment
arrangement within the maximum period of 45 days. If the student does not make
satisfactory arrangements to repay the overpayment or violates a repayment
agreement, the student is no longer eligible for Title IV assistance. The overaward
repayment arrangements can be tracked on this screen. Reports can be generated that
will display the number of days elapsed.
• The “Date Student Notified” field is modifiable.
• The information on this screen sorts in the following order: Number of Days
Remaining (highest to lowest number), Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial,
Social Security Number (SSN), and Year.
• Two filter buttons are included: Not Completed and Completed.
• The Not Completed button displays records where the Date All Funds Returned
field is blank.
• The Completed button filters records where all fields are non-blank.
View/Return Arrangements/School Return Arrangement
Students whose Title IV funds must be returned by the school are displayed here.
• The Date of Institution's Determination that the Student Withdrew is the beginning of
the maximum 30-day period for the institution to perform the return calculation, to
return the amounts the institution is responsible for, and to notify the aid recipient of
his or her responsibility to resolve any Grant Overpayment and the repayment
options available.
• The screen is sorted in the following order: Number of Days Remaining (in
descending order), Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial, Social Security
Number (SSN), and Year.
• Two filter buttons are included: Complete and Not Completed.
• The Complete button filters records where all fields are non-blank.
• The Not Completed button displays records where the Date of All Funds
Returned field is blank.

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Print
You can print these pages by going to File, Print.
• Global Level
• Student listing
• Return arrangements: Print reports to manage follow-up contacts within the regulatory
maximum timeframes
• Record Level
• Return of Title IV Funds Worksheet
• Return of Title IV Funds Notes
• Return of Title IV Funds Summary
• Post-Withdrawal Disbursement Tracking Sheet

Calculations/Algorithms
• At the record level, from the R2T4 tab, choose the menu option Process to calculate Return
of Title IV funds.
• Calculations are performed according to “Treatment of Title IV Funds When a Student
Withdraws from a Credit Hour Program” and the “Treatment of Title IV Funds When A
Student Withdraws from a Clock Hour Program” worksheets.
• For clock hour schools, the calculation requires the software to use completed hours until a
threshold is met; afterward the calculation uses scheduled hours. For credit hour schools, the
calculation requires the software to use number of days attended versus the number of days in
the payment period.
• Credit hour schools must use payment period only. Clock hour schools have a choice between
payment period and period of enrollment. Therefore, you must identify whether the program
is clock hour or credit hour; if clock hour, you must identify the period you are using when
you set up the School Calendar Profile.

Online Help
The software includes a comprehensive online Help tool to assist you in maneuvering through the
software. The online Help describes the process of setting up and working with the software in
more depth than the Quick Reference Sheet does. You will find the Quick Reference Sheet on the
last page of the cover letter.

Return of Title IV Funds for Windows Supports These Printers

We tested the following printers that are Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, and Windows 98
compatible:
• HP LaserJet 4 • HP LaserJet 4 si • HP LaserJet 5 si MX
• HP LaserJet 4000N • HP LaserJet 5M • HP LaserJet 6 MP
• HP LaserJet 4M • HP LaserJet 5 si • HP LaserJet 8000N
• HP LaserJet 4M Plus

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Return of Title IV Funds for Windows Benchmarking Results
Following are the benchmarking results for Return of Title IV Funds for Windows. The process
was tested during normal working hours using different operating systems and PC platforms. For
the network tests, the Return of Title IV Funds for Windows software was on the workstation and
the database was on the server. The server used is a production server with approximately 200
simultaneous users. From previous benchmarking activities, we have not seen a performance
difference between the NetWare 3.12 environment and the NT server environment. Thus, only the
NetWare network environment is listed below. The Time Elapsed column indicates the
measurement of time starting when the user clicks OK in the Import dialog box and the import
process begins.
Component Operating Benchmarking Volume Time Elapsed
System
Return NT 40 Students/4 pages 5 seconds
Arrangements
Win 95 40 Students/4 pages 2 seconds
Win 98 40 Students/4 pages 2 seconds
Student Listing NT 40 Students/2 pages 3 seconds
Win 95 40 Students/2 pages 1 second
Win 98 40 Students/2 pages 1 second

Downloading the Software and the Documentation from the Web

To use Return of Title IV Funds for Windows, Version 1.0, download the software and its
supporting documentation from the SFAdownload Web site, http://www.SFAdownload.ed.gov
The entire software can be downloaded into a single file or into five separate files, which can be
copied to your network, hard drive, or diskette.
• If you do not have access to the Internet, or you have trouble opening the SFAdownload Web
site, call your technical support staff to ensure you have Full Transfer Protocol (FTP)
download rights.
• If you do not have access to the Internet or have FTP download rights but still cannot open
the SFAdownload Web site, you call Title IV WAN Customer Service at 800/615-1189 to
request diskettes. You can also e-mail them at T4WAN@NCS.COM

How to Download the Software as One File

1. Go to the URL field located at the top of your browser’s screen and enter the SFAdownload
Web site address: http://www.SFAdownload.ed.gov
2. Follow the instructions provided and click the Continue button. You are taken to a
“Privacy on Our Web Sites” Web page.
3. Click on any of the links (or scroll down) to read information about Non-personal
Information, Information from E-mails, Information collected from interactive forms, or
Privacy of other records.
4. Click the Continue button to access the Web site containing the software you want to
download. A brief description of the software is provided.
5. Click Return of Title IV Funds v1 to the left of this description. You are taken to the
Downloading site.
6. Click the Full Download link to download the program in one file (R2T4v10.exe). A Save
As… dialog box appears.

15
7. Choose a location on your hard disk to save the file, then press the Save button. The length
of time it takes to download the software depends largely on the speed of your Internet
connection. See the table of download times located in the Downloading Software/Paper
Documentation section of the Return of Title IV Funds for Windows Installation Guide. The
installation process automatically creates the program directory:
C:\PROGRAMFILES\EDESUITE\Return of Title IV Funds v1\.

How to Download the Software in Five Installments

1. Go to the URL field located at the top of your browser’s screen and type the SFAdownload
Web site address: http://www.SFAdownload.ed.gov
2. Follow the instructions provided and click the Continue button. You will be taken to a
“Privacy on Our Web Sites” Web page.
3. Click on any of the links (or scroll down) to read information about Non-personal
Information, Information from E-mails, Information collected from interactive forms, or
Privacy of other records.
4. Click the Continue button to access the Web site containing the software you want to
download. A brief description of the software is provided.
5. Click Return of Title IV Funds v1 to the left of this description. You are taken to the
downloading site.
6. Click Disk 1 to download only disk 1’s data. A Save As… dialog box appears.
7. Choose the location on your hard drive to save the file. Click Save. The length of time it
takes to download the software depends largely on the speed of your Internet connection.
Click Disk 2 to download only disk 2’s data. When the Save As… dialog box appears again,
make sure you are saving Disk 2’s data to the same location as you saved Disk 1’s data. Click
on each of the succeeding disks until all of them have been saved to the same location on
your hard disk. You create a directory structure like this:
\Install\
\Install\DISK 1
\Install\DISK 2
\Install\DISK 3
\Install\DISK 4
\Install\DISK 5
8. Once the software disk files are downloaded to your hard disk, go to that location and double
click on Disk 1. Double click on the Setup.exe file to open and install the software.
*Disk 1 through disk 5 are self-extracting zip files. After downloading, self-extract the
files from each of these disks onto your hard drive, then copy the extracted files onto
floppy disks labeled disk 1 and 5, respectively.

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How to Download the Paper Documentation
You can download the paper documentation from the Internet in both Adobe PDF and Microsoft
Word format. The following types of paper documentation are available to download:
• Installation Guides
• Cover Letters
• Quick Reference Sheet
Each of these documents has the date they were posted, file size, and approximate download
time. However, the length of time it takes to download a paper document depends on the speed of
your Internet connection.
To download paper documentation:
1. Go to the URL field located at the top of your browser’s screen and type the SFAdownload
Web site address: http://www.SFAdownload.ed.gov
2. Follow the instructions provided and click the Continue button. You will be taken to a
“Privacy on Our Web Sites” Web page.
3. Click on any of the links (or scroll down) to read information about Non-personal
Information, Information from E-mails, Information collected from interactive forms, or
Privacy of other records.
4. Click the Continue button to access the Web site containing the document(s) you want to
download. A brief description of the documentation’s software is provided.
5. Click Return of Title IV Funds v1 to the left of this description. You will be taken to the
downloading site. Technical support for this site is provided via phone and e-mail.
6. Click on the type of documentation you want to download. If you select an Adobe PDF
formatted file, click File, Save As from the menu bar. Select a location on your hard disk, and
click the Save button to save the file.
7. If you select a Microsoft Word formatted file, a dialog box will appear. Click on Save it to
disk, choose a location to save the file and press the Save button.
8. For either type of file, the Web site is designed to give it a default name; however, you may
choose another name for the file if you want.
Once the paper document has been downloaded on your hard disk, go to that location and double
click on the file to open and/or print it.

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Installing the Software
After you download the software from the SFAdownload Web site, you still have to install it.

How to Install the Software to a Stand-alone Computer

1. Close all running applications, including screensavers, e-mail notifiers, etc.
2. Go to Start, Run and type the program directory where you downloaded the software. Verify
the program directory displayed is correct. If it is not correct, change it to the program
directory where your Return of Title IV Funds for Windows file is installed. This action will
extract the necessary install files and automatically launch the install program.
• If you downloaded in one file, the name of the file should be R2T4v10.exe. Choose this
file.
• If you downloaded the software in separate pieces, double-click Disk1.exe to extract the
files. Continue the same process with disk 2, etc.
3. Reboot your PC.

How to Install the Software to a Network

If you have multiple workstations accessing a networked Return of Title IV Funds for Windows
database:

1. Copy the install file from PC to PC, running the install on each as you proceed. Or run the
installation program from the network drive it is saved to.
2. Reboot each PC after you have finished installing the software.
3. After completing all of your workstation installations, access the software from one
workstation only to allow the database update to perform successfully.

How to Install the Software from Diskettes

The primary method for installing EDExpress on your computer is by downloading the software
from the SFAdownload page. If that method is unavailable, call Title IV WAN Customer Service
at 800/615-1189 or e-mail them at T4WAN@NCS.COM and request diskettes.
For further information regarding the Return of Title IV Funds for Windows installation process,
consult the 2000-2001 Return of Title IV Funds Installation Guide. If you have questions, call
CPS Customer Service at 800/330-5947 (option 9).

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Reminders
Back Up Your Database Weekly
You should back up your Return of Title IV Funds for Windows database file, R2T4.mdb,
regularly so you don't lose your data. We recommend that you back up your files at least weekly.
You should also back up your data before and after you run utilities as a precautionary measure.
Return of Title IV Funds for Windows does not include a backup utility. You must use your own
backup software. You should test your backup software to verify its reliability to successfully
restore your backups.

Optimize Your Database by Using Software Utilities

The Return of Title IV Funds for Windows software contains utilities that allow you to optimize
your database if you encounter problems. We recommend that you repair, compact, and verify
your database once a week. Once all three are successful, back up the database (see previous
section).
Run the database utilities in the following order:
• Repair Database
• Compact Database
• Verify Database

For specific information regarding repair, compact, and verify, see the appropriate section.

Run the Repair Database Utility

The Repair Database utility resolves inconsistencies (also called database corruption) in records
storage. Events such as a power outage or a LAN failure can corrupt your database if it occurs
while Return of Title IV Funds for Windows updates your records.
Return of Title IV Funds for Windows may not detect database corruption, so if your system
behaves unpredictably (for example, you start getting database error messages), use the Repair
Database utility.
Running this utility weekly helps to prevent database problems.
Warning: Before using this utility, be sure you have space on your hard drive that is at least
equal to the current size of the database.

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Improve Performance by Using the Compact Database Utility
The Compact Database utility improves the performance of Return of Title IV Funds for
Windows by optimizing the database (R2T4.mdb) file and reclaiming space on your computer’s
hard drive. As you add, modify, or delete records in Return of Title IV Funds for Windows, the
database file can become fragmented.
Running this utility weekly makes the database files smaller and improves system performance.
Warning: Before using this utility, be sure you have hard drive space available at least equal
to the current size of the database.

Prevent Problems by Using the Verify Database Utility

The Verify Database function checks for data relationship integrity in your database. If Return of
Title IV Funds for Windows crashes or abnormally halts processing, a record may be missing one
of its associated records. Verify Database recreates the missing record.
Running this function weekly helps to prevent problems.
Warning: Before using this utility, be sure you have hard drive space available at least equal
to the current size of the database.

20

Return of Title IV Funds for Windows
Return of Title IV Funds for Windows is non-year specific, stand-alone software that stores, calculates, processes, and
manages the return of Title IV aid funds.
BEFORE YOU START
Gather the information
• Type of period (payment period vs.
period of enrollment) used for the
calculation (Credit hour inst. must
use Payment Period.)
• For credit hour programs
• Beginning and ending dates for
period
• Whether or not period includes
a scheduled break of 5 or more
calendar days
• For clock hour programs
• Clock hours in the period
• Clock hours student completed
• Clock hours student was
scheduled to complete
• Allowable institutional charges
• Type of program in which student
was enrolled (credit hours vs. clock
hours)
• Whether or not school is required to
take attendance for all or some of its
students
• Type of withdrawal (with/without
notification, etc.)
• Date of withdrawal
• Date of institution’s determination
that student withdrew
• Amount(s) and type(s) of Title IV
aid disbursed
• Amount(s) and type(s) of Title IV
aid that could have been disbursed
• Did student receive or was eligible
to receive aid from other Title IV
programs (state grants identified as
LEAP, formerly SSIG)
• The Method school used to match
FSEOG awards
If you have questions about installation
issues, software problem resolution,
software functionality, and technical
assistance, call CPS Customer Service,
Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
(CT), at 800/330-5947, Option 9. You
can also e-mail inquiries, comments, or
suggestions to CPS@NCS.COM
QUICK REFERENCE
USING RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS FOR WINDOWS
Log in to the software
If you are using the software for the first time, use SYSADMIN for both the user ID and password. The
software prompts you to change the password for the SYSADMIN user ID. Once you have changed the
password, make a note of it and keep it in a safe place.
Set up the software – follow these steps in order
Select Tools, Setup from the menu bar and choose these options in order:
Step 1:Security. Create user IDs and passwords.
Step 2: System. Decide if you want to allow users to edit Notes entries. Each student’s record has a Notes tab
where you can enter comments. The software also records information about who made changes and when
changes were made to the Program Institutional Charges.
Step 3: Program Institutional Charges. For each academic year, create an Institutional Charges Profile for
each program. These profiles contain tuition and fees, room, board, and other charges. They are identified by
codes that you assign.
Step 4: School Calendar Profile. For each academic year, create Calendar Profiles. These profiles are based
on credit hours or clock hours and are associated with a Program Institutional Charges code. For credit hour
programs, the School Calendar Profile contains payment period, the start and end dates, and scheduled break
days of 5 consecutive days or more. For clock hour programs, it includes the total clock hours in the program.
Return of Title IV Funds counts both the number of days or clock hours in the period and the number of days or
the number of clock hours the student completed or the number of clock hours scheduled to have been
completed. In addition, if a School Calendar includes a scheduled break of at least five consecutive days, the
number of break days is excluded from the count. School Calendar Profiles are identified by codes that you
assign.
Step 5: User Database. Create any additional fields that your institution requires (for example, date funds
returned). These fields become part of the student records and are for your use only.
Create one demographic record for each student
Students can have only one demographic (Demo tab at the bottom of the screen) record. They may have
multiple withdrawal records. The data input must be saved before you can move to the R2T4 tab. Save all
data BEFORE moving to a subsequent tab.
IMPORTANT PROGRAMMER NOTE. Once a Student Record is created and the School Calendar
Profile Code is established as a part of the individual Student Record, the profile code cannot be deleted
from the database. Therefore, during the development and testing stage, setup of “Test” Profiles will allow
for the easy separation from actual profiles once you move into live production.
Create a withdrawal record for each student’s withdrawal
• Go to the R2T4 tab to enter the student data.
• You may update institutional charges for the individual student record, if necessary.
• The software calculates the funds to be disbursed or returned.
Notes:
• Amounts to be returned are calculated in dollars and cents, but schools have the option of returning
funds in whole dollars (rounded).
• For clock hour programs, the software automatically uses clock hours scheduled to be completed if
the student meets the 70% threshold of clock hours completed to clock hours scheduled to be
completed. This is the school’s option; if a school opts not to use clock hours scheduled to be
completed, the calculation must be performed manually.
• Leave of Absence: see instructions in the cover letter.
• For Post-Withdrawal Disbursements, go to the Post-Withdrawal tab and complete the tracking sheet.
• Update Notes and User Data, as needed.
• Print any pages that you need.
Follow up
After the calculation is complete, you must still follow up, as appropriate, including
• Return the funds,
• Make a post-withdrawal disbursement, and
• Send appropriate notifications to the students and/or parents.
For grant overpayments,
• Send the student a notice,
• Notify NSLDS, and refer the matter to the Department of Education, if necessary.
21